Mission & Philosophy

Mission

Our unit is one of best and largest commissioning sources for Navy and Marine Corps officers. Since opening our doors in 1983, we have prepared more than 600 Midshipmen for military careers as officers in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. The NROTC mission is:

To develop midshipmen mentally, morally and physically and to imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, and loyalty, and with the core values of honor, courage and commitment in order to commission college graduates as naval officers who possess a basic professional background, are motivated toward careers in the naval service, and have a potential for future development in mind and character so as to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship and government.

Commanding Officer’s Philosophy

Over my years in the Navy, I have identified four key pillars that foster and sustain high-performing teams. I refer to these pillars using the acronym FIRE: Family, Integrity, Respect, and Excellence.

• FAMILY – In the Naval Services, we are not only committed to our mission but also to each other and our families. It is vital that we take care of our Navy and Marine Corps families so that Sailors and Marines can focus on the mission at hand. We must ensure that our service members are present for significant moments in their family’s lives. Moreover, as Shipmates, we forge bonds akin to family ties. As we integrate into a platoon, division, or crew, we become part of a close-knit unit that in essence becomes a second family. It is crucial that we look out for one another and be there in times of need.
• INTEGRITY – When a Marine declares that an area is clear, or a Sailor asserts that the ship is rigged for dive, the entire team must trust that the information is accurate. This trust is built on a foundation of honesty. Each Sailor and Marine must commit to transparency, acknowledging and reporting mistakes or shortcomings when they arise.
• RESPECT – The Naval Services encompass individuals from diverse backgrounds, including various religions, cultures, values, genders, and orientations. These differences are what make our Navy and Marine Corps the strongest in the world. To harness this diversity effectively, we must cultivate a culture of respect. Respect fosters trust; when we feel valued, we are encouraged to share our unique perspectives and strengthen our bonds with each other.
• EXCELLENCE – To achieve and maintain high performance, we must strive for excellence. This requires us to develop a robust cadre of Marines and Sailors and build a solid foundation of knowledge. We need to engage in realistic training scenarios and embrace continuous learning. Maintaining excellence is an ongoing effort that demands our commitment to improvement.

By nurturing a strong sense of family, upholding integrity, respecting all team members, and continuously pursuing excellence, we can create a high-performing team.

J.E Houdeshell